Many exciting things have happened in the last few months around here, probably the best was the girl and her family, which includes my two grandchildren, moved back home to Washington state! They are a mere 25 minutes from me and I could not be happier about that. I learned to make brisket burgers (more on that in another post) and bought myself the grinder attachment for the Kitchen Aid and have wondered how I ever made it this far in life without one! I also learned to make sausage - and more importantly, I learned that I don't want to do it again! I grew more tomatoes in the last two months than I have in the last 28 years and tomatoes on toast is now de rigueur quotidian (allow me to translate: trending daily - my favorite new words.). I'm not the only one who has learned new things, the mister, who has always been told he can retire when he has a hobby, as I will not be his hobby, finally declared he had a hobby. He decided his hobby will be tackling the honey-do list, the one that is 28 years long. In the last few weeks the mister has actually made a dent in that list and so far I haven't had to call anyone to fix what he's fixed! He fixed the bi-fold closet door that wouldn't open but would fall on top of anyone who tried. He solved the gutter issue on the roof so now when it rains the water runs through the gutter and down the pipe instead of flowing over the top creating an interesting waterfall outside the bedroom window. He went a little nuts with WD-40 and now nothing in the house squeaks except my knees. He replaced a piece of rotten wood on the house, with only 3 trips to Home Depot and even though he did cut himself (power tools are still an issue) he didn't require stitches! Progress! He removed the dead hydrangea in the front yard, along with the dead heather, and put in new plants, actually digging holes deep enough so the roots don't show! He planted new lilies, which the rabbits promptly ate, and while I heard him cursing I didn't see any shovels flying through the air towards the gang of furry miscreants. He took both cars in to have dents and scrapes repaired, and that wasn't even on the list! He moved the washer and dryer to make room for a new shelf to make things easier for me and he replaced the dryer vent. (The new dryer vent had been sitting in the laundry room, waiting to be put into action, for a very, very long time; it had more lint/dust on the outside than the old one had on the inside!) He encouraged me to buy a new frame for an old picture and put in a super-duper nail to hang it on - yes, you read that right, he actually told me to go spend money! On top of that, the mister learned how to use the microwave so he could fix himself his own breakfast!!! It's been one miracle after another! The mister now wants to know when he can retire...but I don't think two months of fixing things actually qualifies as a hobby so he has to maintain this level of activity for at least one year - then we'll see. In the meantime, I get to see my grandkids, things are getting fixed and the mister has proven he can feed himself...time to teach him how to use the washer!
Scrambled eggs and sausage make for a great burrito but you could also swap the sausage for bacon or ham or leave it out altogether. When I make these, I make 18 at a time and freeze them. It only takes a few minutes to reheat them in the microwave for a great breakfast on the go.
Of course there has to be cheese! You can use whatever kind of cheese you like, I use the grated Mexican 4-cheese blend. This is a very adaptable recipe so if you want to add herbs and spices, feel free. I just add salt and pepper, I can't get too crazy, the mister hates anything that tastes toooooo good. Before the burritos are wrapped up, you an add salsa or ketchup if you want, too.
I'm no expert burrito maker but there is a bit of a trick to rolling them...start by putting the filling over towards one side. Using your fingers, fold the tortilla around the filling and pull it back a bit, then fold in the sides, if you don't they will be much more difficult to eat, as in the filling will fall out the ends. Finish by rolling them up nice and tight. You can eat them right after assembling if you want. Or if you are making for a crowd, keep them warm by covering with foil.
I like to make breakfast burritos for the early morning seminary kids, they love having breakfast delivered. Having them on a metal tray, covered with foil in a warm oven will keep them nice and hot, even if you are delivering them on a cold, rainy morning before the crack of dawn!
If you're not feeding a crowd, then wrap individually in foil and freeze. When you're ready for a burrito, take one from the freezer, remove the foil and wrap loosely in a damp paper towel. All microwaves are different so you might have to play around with the time but our burritos are ready after 1 minutes 45 seconds.
If you didn't add salsa before and you want some, you can easily unwrap the heated burrito and add it and feel free to add chopped jalapenos, diced green chilis, green onion or even hash browns! I usually allow for one burrito per person so this recipe makes 18 burritos but if you're feeding hungry teenagers, you might need to allow for two.
Breakfast Burritos - Pots and Pins
18 eggs
1 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
4 tablespoons butter
18 flour tortillas, at room temperature
2 lbs. sausage
1 lb. grated cheese
salt and pepper to taste
In a large mixing bowl combine eggs with cream, whisk together well; set aside. Heat oil in large frying pan over medium-high heat and add the sausage and cook until browned, crumbly and cooked through, about 10 to 12 minutes. Remove sausage to large plate, reserving any grease left in pan. In the same large frying pan, over medium-high heat, melt butter. Pour in egg mixture and stir to cook the eggs, scrambling them around as they cook. Add salt and pepper to taste. (Be careful not to overcook the eggs, especially if you plan to freeze the burritos and reheat in the microwave.) If you are adding any additional ingredients, do so now.
To assemble burritos, make sure tortillas are at room temperature so they will be pliable. Place a good spoonful of egg mixture, about 3 to 4 tablespoons worth, onto the tortilla, towards one side. Next add a sprinkling of sausage, a smattering of cheese and roll the edge of the tortilla up and over the egg mixture. (You can add as much or as little sausage and cheese as you like so a sprinkling or a smattering or even a handful will do the trick!) Pull the filling gently back against the tortilla, fold in sides and continue rolling. Place seam side down on a cookie sheet, if eating later. If eating now, place seam side down on a plate and serve. Continue making burritos until all are made. If freezing, wrap each burrito individually in aluminum foil. Place into Zip-lock style bag and freeze for up to two months. To reheat, remove burrito from freezer, remove foil and wrap in damp paper toweling. Heat in microwave on high for 1 minute 45 seconds or until heated through. Makes 18 burritos.